San Diego, California - Higher than normal temperatures are coming to the desert and lower mountain areas of San Diego County over the next two days and residents are urged to take precautions to avoid heat-stroke and other heat-related illnesses and to make sure vulnerable populations, especially children, older adults and pets, are protected.

San Diego, California - The County of San Diego’s Health & Human Services Agency has recently earned national recognition for its work in keeping the region healthy, safe and informed about health issues and concerns.

Sacramento, California - California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Director and State Public Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith has today completely lifted the health advisory for rock crabs caught off the coast of Santa Barbara County in state waters around the Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa and San Miguel islands (Channel Islands). This comes after recent tests showing traces of domoic acid have declined to low or undetectable levels in crabs caught near the islands.

Dallas, Texas - Cigarette smoking is considered a universal health hazard, but it may be particularly damaging to kidney function among African-Americans smokers, according to new research in Journal of the American Heart Association, the Open Access Journal of the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association.